What Nick Saban said about Florida, Kyle Trask ahead of SEC title game

Alabama has beaten 10 SEC opponents so far this season, and can add an 11th next Saturday in the conference championship game against Florida.

Nick Saban provided his first public thoughts about Florida and Heisman Trophy-candidate quarterback Kyle Trask while walking off the field following Alabama’s 52-3 win Saturday in Arkansas.

“Obviously Florida’s got a great team,” Saban told ESPN. “They’ll challenge us a little bit differently because of their quarterback and their ability to throw the ball, and some of the mis-match players they have. We got to get healthy and we got to get our guys going again.”

On the health front, Alabama lost starting inside linebacker Christian Harris to a shoulder injury on the first play of the game. Saban said after the game that Harris will undergo an MRI to determine if he can play against Florida.

“I’m really proud and I want everybody to enjoy what’s been accomplished to this point,” Saban said. “But obviously the focus has to be on what we need to do next week to have a chance to compete well against a very good Florida team.”

Florida is 10th nationally in points scored per game, while Trask ranks fifth nationally in passer rating. Tight end Kyle Pitts is fourth with 11 touchdowns.

Saban has won three out of four meetings with Florida in the SEC championship, most recently in 2016. That was the last game between the two schools.

“I think we’re certainly going to be challenged in a different way with the type of quarterback and passing game that Florida has,” Saban said Saturday. “I think we have to show that we can stand up and play against a team like that.

“It’s going to take a great team effort in every part of our team to be able to win the SEC championship. The offense is going to have to play well. We’re going to have to do a really good job on special teams. Obviously play even better on defense.”

Two of Alabama’s biggest stars — running back Najee Harris and wide receiver DeVonta Smith — are fine health-wise, Saban said. Smith seemed to tweak his ankle at the end of a punt return and Harris was seen being stretched on the sideline, and neither player was on the field in the second half. Saban said that was simply because of the blowout score, which should not put their status for next Saturday in question.

The SEC is limiting capacity to 16,500 in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the SEC championship game, which begins at 7 p.m. CT on CBS.

Mike Rodak is an Alabama beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @mikerodak.

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